Young Victorians keen to read and learn will be the
main beneficiaries of the most recent $2 million donation to State Library
Victoria. Announced today by the Minister for Youth, Gabrielle Williams, the
gift from John and Pauline Gandel, through Gandel Philanthropy, will deliver
free dedicated literacy programs created for kids, by kids.

The donation will also support the development of the Pauline
Gandel Children’s Quarter, a dedicated space for children up to 12 years old,
six times larger than the Library’s previous space used for children’s
programming, along with a new children’s book collection.

Celebrated Australian children’s authors Andy Griffiths,
Leigh Hobbs, Gabrielle Wang and Ailsa Wild participated in the first of a
number of co-design workshops with 5–12 year-olds to develop a suite of
innovative programs enabled by the donation.

The workshops form part of a broader programming
framework developed jointly with Gandel Philanthropy, the family’s foundation,
which incorporates Auslan, languages other than English and livestreaming to
enable greater access to children across Victoria.

Minister for Youth, Gabrielle
Williams, said the generous donation will help Victorian children develop the
skills they need for a successful future.

“With the vision and generosity of
Gandel Philanthropy, State Library Victoria is putting kids in the driver’s
seat to help shape a new era of creative and exciting literacy programs.

“When this amazing new Children’s
Quarter opens at our State Library later this year, it will offer a range of
kid-designed programs that will boost literacy skills, build confidence and
spark imaginations,” she said.

State Library Victoria CEO, Kate Torney, said Gandel
Philanthropy is taking a leading role in nurturing a love of reading in young
Victorians.

“Reading and storytelling are essential for children’s
development and their transition into adulthood. The Pauline Gandel Children’s
Quarter and the programming it will deliver will help children’s literacy and
creative skills grow and will set the benchmark for other libraries in
Australia and around the world,” she said.

John Gandel AC and Pauline Gandel AC, Chair and
Trustee of Gandel Philanthropy, said State Library Victoria was a natural
partner.

“We are committed to creating a positive and lasting
difference in the lives of children. Research shows 39% of Australian students
don’t meet the National Proficient Standard in reading literacy[1]
and 44% of adults lack the literacy skills required to cope with the complex
demands of modern life.[2]

“Literacy is truly a key building block of future
academic success. Global trends show that we need to encourage children to read
from the earliest age. We are particularly pleased that these programs will
also reach children and families from many different cultural and linguistic
backgrounds.

“Partnering with the State Library to deliver a
dedicated space and a number of innovative children’s programs means we can
reach more young people and their families and have a lasting, positive impact
on their lives, and on this country as a whole,” they said.

The Pauline Gandel Children’s Quarter is part of the
Library’s $88.1 million Vision 2020 redevelopment and is due to open in late
spring 2019.

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About Gandel Philanthropy

Gandel Philanthropy is one of Australia’s largest independent family philanthropic funds. It has been the vehicle for charitable giving by the extended Gandel family since its formation as the Gandel Charitable Trust in 1978.